ALBUQUERQUE — In what resembled a touchdown-happy video game, Colorado State's 66-42 victory Saturday night over New Mexico had real consequences for the visiting Rams.

CSU sophomore running back Kapri Bibbs made sure they were positive consequences with a school-record six TDs.

The Rams (6-5, 4-2 Mountain West) entered the game needing two victories among its final three regular-season games to become bowl-eligible for the first time in five years. Considering that CSU must play next at talented Utah State, this almost felt like sudden death for the Rams.

Colorado State was up to the challenge. The Rams never trailed, although underdog New Mexico (3-7, 1-5) made the Rams work for it.

Colorado State running back Kapri Bibbs runs against New Mexico in the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, in Albuquerque, N.M. (Eric Draper, Associated Press)

"We knew going in this game, with the kind of (option) offense that New Mexico runs, it would be really important that our offense hold serve and score every time they had the ball," CSU coach Jim McElwain said. "I'm proud of our guys. They gutted out a good win."

An announced crowd of 19,376 at University Stadium watched Bibbs continue his assault on the school record book. Early in the fourth quarter, he broke the school record with his fifth touchdown of the evening and finally gave CSU some cushion with a 59-42 lead.

"I love the way Kapri attacks every carry like it has a history and life of its own," McElwain said.

Bibbs' 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was his third of the day and had already established a CSU single-season record with 22 TDs. Calvin Branch previously held the Rams record 21 touchdowns in 1996.

Bibbs easily surpassed CSU's single-season sophomore rushing mark, surpassing the 1,288 yards gained by Kyle Bell in 2005. He finished the evening with 291 yards on 38 carries — for a total of 1,439 and running.

New Mexico played the entire second half without starting quarterback Cole Gautsche and star running back Kasey Carrier, who, according to UNM officials, were "banged up" in the first half. But five times the Lobos pulled to within a field goal.

A combined 52 points were scored in the first half alone. An interception by Colorado State senior cornerback Shaq Bell at the Rams' 3-yard line with 26 seconds left in the first half preserved CSU's 31-21 halftime lead.

Earlier, CSU safety Trent Matthews stopped another New Mexico drive into Rams territory with his fourth interception of the season.

CSU's offense did its job, but the Rams might not have prevailed without those two interceptions and four fourth-down stops. "We had trouble stopping them so it felt big when we did," CSU linebacker Aaron Davis said.

Colorado State rolled up 649 total yards. That included 302 yards passing by Garrett Grayson, whose 20-for-28 night was overshadowed by Bibbs.

"That's the balance we're looking for," McElwain said.

The Rams finally kept New Mexico off the scoreboard in the fourth quarter.

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.

PARIS (AP) — Bye, New York! Ciao, Milan! Bonjour, Paris! The world's largest traveling circus of fashion editors, models, buyers and journalists has descended on the French capital, clutching their metro maps and city guides, to cap the ready-to-wear fashion season. Full Story